LAHORE: Smog and air pollution in Lahore have once again reached alarming levels, posing serious health risks to millions of residents, particularly children, elderly people and individuals suffering from respiratory conditions. The worsening air quality has also raised questions about the effectiveness of government measures aimed at controlling pollution across Punjab.
According to international air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 535 at 8:00 am on Monday, November 2, placing the city in the hazardous category. During the same period, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reportedly reached 343 micrograms per cubic metre.
The situation has turned the provincial capital’s air into a serious public health concern, as prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause respiratory problems and aggravate existing health conditions.
A report by ARY News highlighted the worsening smog situation, while reports published by Dawn and international news agency Reuters also pointed to dangerously high levels of air pollution in Lahore.
Lahore Among the World’s Most Polluted Cities
The intensity of smog has remained concerning over recent days. Reuters reported on November 3 that Lahore continued to rank among the world’s most polluted major cities, with its AQI reaching 447 at one point, according to IQAir.
Air quality readings can fluctuate throughout the day depending on monitoring locations and weather conditions. However, recent figures indicate that Lahore continues to experience severe air pollution.
Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is especially dangerous because these tiny particles can enter deep into the lungs and contribute to respiratory and other health problems.
More Than 35,000 Patients Reported at Six Major Hospitals
The growing pollution crisis has coincided with a significant number of patients reporting respiratory and flu-like symptoms at government hospitals in Lahore.
According to a November 3 report by Pakistan Today, more than 35,000 patients with respiratory and flu-like complaints visited six major public hospitals in the city over the past week.
Mayo Hospital reportedly received more than 11,000 such patients, while over 9,800 people sought treatment at Services Hospital. Other major government hospitals also reported a considerable number of patients.
Reported symptoms included coughing, sore throat, fever, flu, and breathing difficulties.
However, the reported figures do not establish that all these illnesses were directly caused by smog. Individual medical assessments and further investigation would be required to determine the causes. Nevertheless, the high number of respiratory complaints during a period of severe air pollution highlights the growing public health challenge.
Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan Also Face Severe Pollution
The smog crisis is not limited to Lahore, as several other cities across Punjab have also recorded unhealthy or hazardous air quality.
According to Dawn, Monday morning AQI readings reached 606 in Gujranwala, 310 in Faisalabad and Multan, and 260 in Sialkot.
Although air quality figures vary throughout the day, the readings indicate that multiple urban centres across the province are facing serious pollution levels.
The situation highlights the need for coordinated measures to control pollution sources across the region rather than focusing exclusively on Lahore.
Agricultural Fires Add to the Smog Crisis
The burning of crop residues is among the factors contributing to air pollution during the smog season.
According to Dawn, an analysis of environmental monitoring data identified 13,241 fire locations through NASA satellite observations in Pakistani Punjab between October 1 and October 29. Approximately 92 per cent of these locations were reportedly situated on agricultural land, potentially indicating crop-residue burning.
Vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, brick kilns, construction activities and agricultural fires are among the sources that can contribute to deteriorating air quality. Unfavourable weather conditions and weak winds can further intensify the problem by preventing pollutants from dispersing.
Environmental experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of sustained action against all major sources of pollution to achieve long-term improvements.
Government Claims of Improvement Face Questions
The Punjab government presented figures in October 2026 suggesting that Lahore’s air quality had improved compared with previous years. However, an analysis by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) indicates that the improvement may be less significant when weather-related factors are taken into account.
According to the analysis, average PM2.5 levels in October were 27 per cent lower than in the same period last year. However, after accounting for the influence of weather conditions, the estimated improvement was only around four per cent.
The analysis also indicated that daily particulate matter concentrations remained above Pakistan’s prescribed daily limit throughout October.
These findings suggest that improvements in average readings have not eliminated the underlying air pollution problem. The effectiveness of government policies will ultimately depend on sustained reductions in emissions and the provision of cleaner air throughout the year.
